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cnbc.com
Trump administration plans to bring more diesel to market as fuel prices surge, Wright says
Diesel prices have surged about 40% to $5.29 per gallon, the highest level since 2022, as the Iran war has disrupted oil supplies.
theguardian.com
Wall Street joins market rally as Trump postpones power plant strikes after ‘very good and productive’ talks with Iran – business live
Investors are piling back into shares after US president extends Iran’s deadline to reopen strait of Hormuz, sending oil price downTrump extends Iran deadline by five days and claims ‘productive’ talksWholesale gas prices in Europe have jumped in early trading.The UK month-ahead gas prices is up 3.1% at 155p per therm, nearly double their levels before the Iran conflict began. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Ministers tell HS2 to consider slower train speeds to cut costs
Company will assess whether drop to 186mph from 224mph will save money and help bring forward launchMinisters have told High Speed Two to consider running its trains at lower speeds, in an attempt to rein in the spiralling budget and begin operations as soon as possible.HS2 Ltd will assess whether limiting the speed to 186mph (300km/h) instead of 224mph could save money – potentially billions of pounds – and bring the railway into being earlier in the 2030s. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
China sees long lines at the gas pump as Mideast turmoil hits
The China state refiner issued a notice Sunday that the price of gas will be set higher by a "meaningful" amount starting March 24.
theguardian.com
A war and maybe an unprecedented depression: it’s Trump’s mania, but now all of us will pay the price | Polly Toynbee
It had been possible to observe this presidency in abstract terms, but no more. The consequences of the Iran attack will affect our lives and our politicsNothing has changed. Yet. But we stand on the edge of inevitable economic cataclysm, such as not seen in our lifetimes. It’s an odd, hold-your-breath moment, waiting for what the International Energy Agency (IEA) says is now certain to happen: an energy crisis so critical it will be the equivalent of the two oil crises in 1973 and 1979 and Russia’s 2022 full invasion of Ukraine, put together.The IEA says it’s already too late to prevent this impending energy crisis. President Donald Trump has swerved the Armageddon destruction of oil and gas facilities threatening the entire Middle East, but too late. The deep recession, probably depression, that his war has caused is heading around the globe. Britain will be hard hit.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Volume in stock and oil futures surged minutes before Trump's market-turning post
The timing of the earlier volume spikes — across both equities and crude — caught the attention of traders.
cnbc.com
ICE deployed to some U.S. airports as long security lines persist during partial shutdown
The Trump administration said it plans to send ICE officers to help ease airport congestion amid TSA officer absences as they face second missed full paycheck.
theguardian.com
Bipartisan Senate bill would ban sports betting on online prediction markets
Bill was introduced in US Senate on Monday as prediction markets such as Kalshi face greater scrutiny by statesPrediction markets are facing fresh bipartisan scrutiny in the US Senate as companies such as Kalshi and Polymarket continue to battle state-led efforts to regulate online betting.A bill was introduced in the US Senate on Monday that would ban federally regulated platforms from allowing wagers on sporting events, what would be a huge blow to marketplaces where billions of dollars have been traded on major events like the Super Bowl and the NCAA’s March Madness. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
AI boom risks widening wealth divide, says BlackRock’s Larry Fink
CEO of asset manager says only a few firms and investors may reap rewards from growth in the technologyThe boom in artificial intelligence risks widening inequality, with only a handful of companies and investors likely to reap its financial rewards, the BlackRock chief executive, Larry Fink, has said.The boss of the $14tn (£10.4tn) asset manager used his annual letter to investors on Monday to highlight potential hazards around the exponential growth in AI, which has attracted rapid investment and become, he said, “central to strategic competition” between global powers such as the US and China. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Oil falls and shares rebound after Trump says talks have been held to end war
Energy prices fall and stock markets rebound after the US president says "very good and productive" talks have been held.
bbc.com
HS2 trains could run slower than planned to save money
The government is looking at ways to make much-delayed London to Birmingham railway line cheaper to deliver.
theguardian.com
There must be more support for young people who are seeking jobs | Letters
Readers respond to articles on the causes and effects of youth unemploymentRegarding Polly Toynbee’s article (Young people want to work: now there may be jobs for them, 17 March), as a young person, I believe that the government must rebuild trust in its support, or young people will continue to be held back. I am now working, but I know what it’s like to leave university and face unemployment: constant rejection, confusion and anxiety about what comes next. It is scary. But what Polly describes isn’t unusual; it’s the reality for many, and repeated rejections knock your confidence.Support on offer has struggled to keep up with the growing challenges that young people face. The issue runs deeper than “lingering stigma” – it’s embedded in the system. The constant threat of losing your benefits if you fail to meet job search requirements undermines trust and engagement. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Oil tumbles after Trump puts hold on U.S. strikes against Iran energy infrastructure for five days
President Donald Trump said Monday that the U.S. and Iran had productive talks over the weekend about ending the war.
bbc.com
Porridge recalled months after mouse contamination
Moma Foods says a third-party facility found "a mouse contamination event" last autumn.
cnbc.com
Toyota to invest $1 billion to increase U.S. production in Kentucky, Indiana plants
Toyota on Monday announced $1 billion in investments in two U.S. plants as part of a plan to invest up to $10 billion domestically over the next five years.
cnbc.com
European stocks stage rebound as Trump signals Iran war de-escalation
European stocks are rebounding sharply after President Donald Trump hinted at a de-escalation of tensions in a TruthSocial post.
cnbc.com
BTS comeback draws a smaller crowd than hoped, hitting parent company Hybe's shares
Shares in Hybe, the parent company of South Korean boyband BTS, fell 15% on Monday as their much-anticipated comeback drew a smaller crowd than expected.
bbc.com
Huel bought by Danone in €1bn deal
The health firm backed by actor Idris Elba and broadcaster Jonathan Ross is being bought by Danone for €1bn (£860m).
cnbc.com
Trump tells CNBC 'we are very intent on making a deal' with Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said he would order the military to postpone strikes on Iran's power plants and energy infrastructure for five days.
theguardian.com
Trump rows back on strait of Hormuz threat – what next? | podcast
The US president has extended by five days his deadline to ‘hit and obliterate’ Iran’s power stations and energy infrastructure if Tehran does not allow shipping to move freely. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss what is behind this change of tone and the impact the uncertainty will have on the cost of living in the UK.Plus, with just over six weeks until the local elections, they talk through what to watch as the results come in Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Leonid Radvinsky, owner of OnlyFans, dies aged 43
Ukrainian-American billionaire who owned subscription service for adult content died of cancer, the company saysLeonid Radvinsky, the owner of OnlyFans, has died of cancer at the age of 43, the company announced on Monday.“We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Leo Radvinsky. Leo passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer,” said a spokesperson for the company, best known for subscriptions to pornographic content creators. “His family have requested privacy at this difficult time.” Continue reading...
bbc.com
OnlyFans owner Leonid Radvinsky dies at 43
Leo Radvinsky became a billionaire after investing in the site, known for its pornographic content.
theguardian.com
Europe’s ‘staggering’ clean power gains undermined by failure to phase out fuel-burning machines
The EU’s reluctance to replace petrol cars and gas boilers keep it hooked on foreign fuels, say industry groupsEurope has made “staggering progress” in producing clean power but neglected efforts to phase out fuel-burning machines, the head of an industry group said as the global oil crisis deepens.Adrian Hiel, director of the Electrification Alliance, said the EU has “radically transformed” its power supply and must now focus on getting “more electricity into the stuff we use every day”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
EasyJet bookings fall because of Iran war as boss warns of air fare rises
Airline has hedged much of fuel into 2027, avoiding soaring prices, but costs likely to hit passengers by end of summerBusiness live – latest updatesThe boss of easyJet has said the war in the Middle East has started to hit flight bookings, while the soaring price of oil would probably mean a rise in air fares by the end of the summer.The chief executive, Kenton Jarvis, said that while the airline had hedged much of its fuel into next year, avoiding soaring kerosene prices, it was “unavoidable” that some of the costs would be passed on in fares. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Gold and silver losses ease as Trump postpones Iran energy strikes
Precious metals recovered some of Monday morning's heavy losses after President Trump delayed strikes against Iran's energy facilities.
cnbc.com
U.S. executives, from Apple to Eli Lilly, revamp their push into the world's second-largest economy at the China Development Forum
More than 80 global executives traveled to Beijing this weekend for the state-organized China Development Forum.
bbc.com
Pauline Black helps celebrate hub funding
The Lottery funding for the Destination Ball Hill group will allow it to expand services for locals.
bbc.com
'We can't justify a £52 lunch': Middle-income families cut back on days out
A household with an average gross income of £55,000 has cut spending on leisure activities by £40 a week, offical figures suggest.
cnbc.com
Asia markets tumble as Middle East conflict spiral with no sign of abating
Asia-Pacific markets tumbled Monday as investors weighed escalating tensions in the Middle East after the U.S. and Iran threatened to intensify military hostilities.
theguardian.com
Idris Elba-backed firm Huel bought by Danone in €1bn deal
Co-founder Julian Hearn and actor likely to get big payday after takeover by French groupBusiness live – latest updatesHuel, the protein shake maker which counts the actor Idris Elba among its investors, has agreed to be acquired by the French consumer goods group Danone in a deal worth about €1bn (£870m).The British company, which makes food powders, snack bars and meals from a blend of plant-based ingredients and fortified with vitamins, started out selling its powders online. It is now available in more than 25,000 stores around the world. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
BlackRock’s Larry Fink warns against market timing, says missing best days can halve returns
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink said staying invested through periods of turmoil has historically delivered far stronger returns.
theguardian.com
Fentanyl found in packaging of Barbie dolls sold at Missouri discount store
Authorities in Independence say store security contacted them about a ‘suspicious powder substance’ in the packagesFentanyl has been discovered inside the packaging of five Barbie dolls sold at a Missouri discount store, local authorities said.Police in Independence, Missouri, said in a statement on Saturday that store security at Cargo Largo, a local discount store, contacted authorities “regarding a suspicious powder substance located in the packaging of a Barbie Doll”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Workers who fall for ‘corporate bullshit’ may be worse at their jobs, study finds
New study finds that employees impressed by corporate speak may be least equipped to make effective decisionsEver sat in a meeting where someone declares that your company is “growth-hacking” and “working at the intersection of cross-collateralization and blue-sky thinking” and called bullshit? Turns out you were right.A new study out of Cornell University published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences found workers most excited and impressed by corporate speak may be the least equipped to make effective, practical business decisions, and it can leave companies with dysfunctional leaders. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
World’s broadcasters urge EU to tighten rules for big tech in smart TV battle
Google, Amazon, Apple and Samsung control operating systems, allowing them to act as gatekeepers, letter claimsBusiness live – latest updatesThe world’s largest broadcasters have pushed for the EU to enforce its toughest regulations against virtual TVs and smart assistants built by Google, Amazon, Apple and Samsung.The call came in a letter from the Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services in Europe (ACT), whose members include Canal+, RTL, Mediaset, ITV, Paramount+, NBCUniversal, Walt Disney, Warner Bros Discovery, Sky and TF1 Groupe. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Profit prioritised over welfare’: UK’s premier exotic animal hospital to close
Pet owners fear there is no viable alternative service after Great Western Exotics owner deems business unviableOn a nondescript industrial estate on the outskirts of Swindon, visitors may hear a faint squawking in the distance as bird lovers from Exeter to Edinburgh bring their brightly coloured budgies and macaws to an exotic animal hospital.But now, the UK’s premier parrot surgery, which treats all kinds of creatures, is to be shut down after it was bought out by a conglomerate that has decided the business is not viable. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Danone to buy protein shake maker Huel as health nutrition craze drives demand shift
Merging the companies is an opportunity in fast-growing nutrition space, said Danone CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique.
cnbc.com
Sen. Warren questions DOD about Anthropic blacklist that 'appears to be retaliation'
Warren sent letters to Pete Hegseth and Sam Altman, asking for additional details of OpenAI's contract with the defense department and Anthropic's blacklisting.
bbc.com
Why do the West's farmers pay the price for war in Iran?
Rising oil prices caused by the war in the Gulf has caused an "overnight shock" to west country farmers.
cnbc.com
India is launching cheap, weight-loss drugs and Novo Nordisk is betting on its brands to stay on top
Indian generic drugmakers launch a price war against Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 brands, Ozempic and WeGovy.
cnbc.com
Iran threatens U.S. Treasury buyers as Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum looms
Iran widened its warnings to target buyers of U.S. Treasury bonds, the latest salvo in an intensifying exchange of threats as the war entered its fourth week.
cnbc.com
More than 40 Middle East energy assets ‘severely damaged,’ IEA chief says
The IEA’s Fatih Birol warned that damage to energy infrastructure across the Middle East would take some time to repair.
theguardian.com
BT keeps my 90-year-old mother waiting three months to reinstate phone number
Ordeal left vulnerable woman living alone cut off from family, friends and doctorsMy 90-year-old mother was sent home from hospital to die at the end of last year. Since she lives alone, and I’m her sole carer, it was essential that she get broadband so a personal alarm could be fitted.BT told her she’d have to have a temporary phone number while Openreach carried out the work. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Deputy calls for an end to Guernsey overseas aid
A Guernsey Deputy says there is strong support for scrapping the island’s £5.6m aid spending.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: clock ticks on Trump's Hormuz ultimatum
Tensions between Trump and Tehran rise as the clock ticks on the U.S. President's Hormuz ultimatum.
bbc.com
US weight-loss drugmakers slash prices in fight to win customers
Weight-loss drug prices are falling in the US - but can the example be repeated?
theguardian.com
World losing more barrels of oil each day than in two 1970s crises combined, IEA chief says – video
Dr Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency, says the world's energy situation after the US and Israeli-led attack on Iran is now ‘very serious’. He told the National Press Club the energy crisis of today was more problematic than the combined effects of the two oil crises of 1973 and 1979 and the gas crisis sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. ‘So the situation is, if we want to put in a context – this crisis as it stands now, two oil crises and one gas crash put all together,’ he saidFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Luxury takes time. We don’t have time’: The former top military officer on a mission to fix the Dutch housing crisis
Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan plans to simplify the housebuilding process to tackle shortage of 400,000 homesElanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan is on a mission. The new housing minister of the Netherlands is charged with building 100,000 homes a year and breaking through a planning deadlock to combat one of Europe’s worst housing crises.The Irish-born 50-year-old is new to politics. Until a fortnight ago she was the country’s top female military officer, famous for getting flak jackets redesigned for women’s bodies and holding her own in a male-dominated sphere. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Funding for populist-right ‘media-political complex’ exceeded £170m in five years, research finds
Handful of billionaires gave huge sums in particular to media organisations that boosted rightwing politicians, says Liam Byrne MPMore than £170m was given to MPs, political parties, media organisations and thinktanks aligned with the UK’s populist right over the past five years, new research from the Labour MP Liam Byrne has found.Byrne, a former cabinet minister who chairs parliament’s business committee, said he had identified a “media-political complex” funded largely by a handful of billionaires. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘You can feel it’: South Yorkshire revival gathers pace as new industries move in
From steel to screen, podcasts to defence, Sheffield’s economy is diversifying amid a wave of new investmentIt has seen its fair share of Hollywood parties – albeit with a twist. Instead of champagne and caviar it is usually Guinness and scampi fries. Red carpet? There aren’t even cushions on the seats.The tiny Sheffield pub, Fagan’s, has raised more than a few toasts in the last year as Adolescence, the Netflix hit made by two of its owners, scooped multiple awards at the Emmys and Golden Globes and became one of the world’s most-watched dramas. Continue reading...
bbc.com
BTS agency shares drop after comeback show turnout falls short
The concert was attended by an estimated 104,000 fans, much lower than the expected 260,000.
cnbc.com
Opinion: As Trump eyes Cuba, my trips there a decade ago remind me how different things were
Trump has threatened a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba after cutting it off from Venezuela's oil. CNBC's Justin Solomon reflects how different things used to be.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Trump issues Strait of Hormuz ultimatum
U.S.-Iran threats over Hormuz rattle markets as oil risk lingers and missiles hit Israel, raising fears of a prolonged conflict.
bbc.com
Heat pumps work for me - but they're not yet a money saver
The government wants Britons to embrace heat pumps. But will they ever make financial sense for the average user?
bbc.com
Germany has a shortage of workers - so it's turning to India for help
The European nation, struggling to find skilled staff, is giving jobs to young people from India.
bbc.com
Call to cancel threat of prison for council tax non-payment
Debt charity StepChange says there are clear differences between councils when chasing unpaid tax.
theguardian.com
Student debt eats away home deposit savings to tune of £2,000 a year, says Barclays
Repayments also affect financial stability of nearly half of graduates, according to report by UK bankPeople with student loans who are working towards a home deposit save almost £2,000 less per year than those without the debt, according to a new report by Barclays.The bank also found that 44% of student loan holders claim that repayments limit their ability to build long-term financial stability, while 41% say it prevents them from entering the housing market. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Thousands of care leavers in England ‘locked out’ of work as firms slow to adapt
Survey suggests companies willing to hire care-experienced young people but few have changed recruitment processesThousands of young people leaving care in England are being left “locked out” of work by employers who say they are open to hiring but make few changes to adapt, a charity has warned.Calling on employers to act on their promises, the Drive Forward Foundation said care leavers were almost three times more likely to be out of work than their peers. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
A Netflix cooking show is changing how people travel — and restaurants are seeing bookings jump 303%
Asia's food tourism scene attempts to angle itself between gourmet and authentic street food. Netflix show "Culinary Class Wars" replicates this contradiction.
cnbc.com
Not just buying 'things': Why China's emotional economy is on the rise
Amid a prolonged economic slowdown, one segment of the world's second-largest economy is growing quicker than the rest: China's so-called emotional economy.
theguardian.com
Ministers confirm locations for seven new towns in England
Programme is being billed as the most ambitious housebuilding project in England for half a centuryMinisters have confirmed the locations for seven new towns, which include under-developed inner-city land, a historic village and an existing new town.The programme is being billed by the housing and communities department as the most ambitious housebuilding project in England for half a century, with the planned construction of between 15,000 and 40,000 homes in each new town. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Moma brand recalls porridge products over possible mice contamination
Customers told not to eat affected pot and sachet products and to return them to place of purchase for refundSeveral porridge products in the UK have been recalled over a possible mice contamination at their manufacturing site.The British porridge and oat drink brand Moma issued a warning for seven versions of its pots and two of its sachets. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
The economy has a Strait of Hormuz deadline for Trump: Two weeks
Corporate executives are not panicking over a short-term increase in oil prices and Strait of Hormuz closure, but patience may wear thin in a matter of weeks.
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on aid cuts: Britain championed development funding – its meanness is shortsighted | Editorial
The steep reductions are a grave error, both morally and pragmatically. But a better case needs to be made for spendingProgress is possible. Over two decades, global child mortality plummeted. There were many reasons for a 39% reduction in deaths in lower and middle income countries between 2001 and 2021, but a significant one was overseas development aid, which supported everything from sanitation to vaccination programmes to food security.That shift has slowed, and – like similar advances – is likely to reverse if aid budgets continue to be slashed. Researchers warned last month that continuing cuts could result in more than 22 million avoidable deaths in the next five years, with a quarter of those among children under five.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Campaign groups rail against Palantir, but the UK contracts keep coming
AI analytics firm has become influential in Whitehall, and FCA deal gives it yet more access to dataPalantir extends reach into British state as it gets access to sensitive FCA dataPalantir’s latest UK contract takes the AI and data analytics company into the heart of one of Britain’s biggest industries: financial services, which accounts for 9% of the economy.The Miami-based company embedded its technology in the NHS in 2023, the police in 2024 and the military in 2025. Land and expand, they say in the tech industry. Palantir has followed the script, building contracts worth more than £500m. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
It’s time to take politics out of the Small Business Administration
The White House’s politicization of the agency will have a real-world impact on small business owners in the USKelly Loeffler, the new administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), announced recently that the agency charged with supporting the businesses that are the backbone of the US economy would no longer be approving loans to small business owners unless they are US citizens. If you’re a legal, tax-paying immigrant with a green card and full residency? No loans for you.This is a big mistake. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘The new ketchup’? How hummus spread beyond a niche into a British staple
News that chickpea dip is to join list of products used for UK inflation basket confirms its move into the mainstreamThe best (and worst) supermarket hummus tasted and ratedIt is a sign of the times. This week it was revealed that hummus is joining the list of foods used to measure the cost of living in Britain as the ubiquity of the dip at mealtimes sees it billed as the “new ketchup”.The decision to drop a pot of hummus in the inflation basket is a moment for the all-conquering chickpea dip, which arrived on supermarket shelves in the late 1980s. Since then Britons have gone from spending virtually nothing to £170m a year on the versatile stuff. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Energy shock talk grabs headlines but the Iran war is also driving the world towards a food crisis | Heather Stewart
Growers face soaring fertiliser and fuel costs as shipping choke point of the strait of Hormuz hits supply chains‘The stakes are enormous’: how a prolonged Iran war could shock the global economyIt is peak harvesting season for avocados in the lush southern highlands of Tanzania but growers are racing against time to find buyers for the precious green fruits before they become overripe.Donald Trump’s disastrous Middle East war is being felt in the world’s energy markets but oil and gas are not the only products that transit through the maritime choke point of the strait of Hormuz. The conflict is also hitting supply chains elsewhere. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Energy bills rise 'inescapable' if oil prices stay high, says British Gas boss
The boss of Centrica says it is "too early" to speculate but if oil costs continue to rise, homes will be hit.
cnbc.com
OpenAI's data center pivot underscores Wall Street spending concerns ahead of IPO
As OpenAI gears up for a potential IPO, it's outlined a more tempered infrastructure strategy and has moved away from an ambitious agreement with Nvidia.
cnbc.com
U.K. confirms Iran fired two missiles at British-American base in Indian Ocean which failed to reach their target
Iran fired the two missiles at the joint U.S.-U.K. Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean but they failed to reach their target, U.K. minister says.
theguardian.com
‘Trumpflation’: how the Iran war’s economic storm could affect Britons
Yet another cost of living crisis looms with fuel, food, holiday, energy and home loan prices expected to riseMiddle East crisis – live updatesHere we go again. For Britons it has been a rollercoaster few years and just as better times seemed ahead the country has been plunged into a fresh cost of living crisis.The economic storm caused by war in the Middle East is already pushing up the cost of key household outgoings, including mortgage payments, energy bills and driving. There are warnings that the weekly shop will be next. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘We can create hype’: H&M’s UK boss on its commitment to the high street
As the chain marks 50th anniversary in Britain, Karen O’Rourke explains what makes it stand out against cut-price rivalsAlmost exactly 50 years after H&M opened its first British store, the doors on its newest, in Brighton, swung open this week and the Swedish fashion company’s UK boss is determined to keep investing in the nation’s high streets despite its struggles.In 1976, H&M opened in the brand-new Brent Cross shopping centre, the first American-style out of town mall to grace these shores. Its opening was such an event that the then Prince Charles attended. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Slop it like it’s hot: the rise of build-your-own takeaway salad bowls
How did this pick-n-mix salad-and-protein sludge become a typical working lunch?Few things have killed the leisurely lunch like capitalism, but to really see this in action, the food court of London’s financial shadowland, Canary Wharf, is a good place to start. Wandering the warren of Prets and Itsus are Deliveroo riders and suits-on-the-clock. And they’re usually carrying the same thing: a nice big bowl of slop.A slop bowl is the universal term for a mishmash of pick-your-own dishes assembled and sold in fast-casual spots that have become the de facto working lunch. The contents vary (they tend to feature Asian and eastern Mediterranean dishes) but as the name suggests, it is always served in a bowl, and by the time you’ve got to your desk, has usually become slop. They can cost anything from £7 to £25 depending on what you add – much like coffee, the slop bowl is as customisable as a modular shelving unit from Ikea. This sounds like a lot. But we also live in an era where a salad bowl from Pret can cost £12, so maybe it’s not. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
From satellites to space data centers: Why low earth orbit is attracting billions in investment
Big Tech companies including Nvidia and Elon Musk's SpaceX are making large bets on a new layer of critical infrastructure that's emerging above our heads.
theguardian.com
Friendship fraud: warnings of rise in ‘insidious’ scam targeting older people
Fraudsters exploit isolation and search for human contact to often devastating effect. These are steps you can take to avoid themAs you have got older, retirement has left you with more time on your hands. Loneliness has set in. Luckily, you have found a friend through one of the online motoring groups you are in, and a close bond has blossomed over your common interest in cars.But your new friend has found themselves short when it comes to paying for their university textbooks, and has asked you for £50. It’s not much, and you get on so well that you agree to pay via bank transfer. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘The stakes are enormous’: how a prolonged Iran war could shock the global economy
Donald Trump’s ‘little excursion’ is likely to have long-term effects, from oil prices to inflation to growth, say expertsIn the days after the US and Israel first bombed Iran, financial markets bet the economic fallout from Donald Trump’s “little excursion” in the Middle East would be short-lived.“There are risks from higher oil prices longer term. But this is a tail risk,” one US-based fund manager said after the airstrike killing Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “History has shown time and time again that geopolitical flare-ups like this tend to be short-lived. This one should prove to be no exception.’’ Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Wordle guy’s latest move tells us a lot about modern-day ambition
For some, creating a smash hit puzzle would have been enough to kick back for life. But for the Josh Wardles and Timothée Chalamets of the world, not even the moon is enoughHe is one letter away from being a household name. Now Josh Wardle, the inventor of Wordle, has launched a new online game, and in doing so, provided an interesting insight into ambition.For some, creating a global smash hit puzzle so zeitgeisty and popular it becomes part of millions of strangers’ daily routines and is bought by the New York Times for seven figures would have been sufficient for a lifetime. Rather than face inevitable comparison and potential disappointment by attempting That Difficult Second Album, they would have just kicked back on their yacht and called it a day. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Club vibes without the hangover': The twenty-somethings going out - in the gym
Young people are driving a gym boom as more fitness spaces are transformed into vibrant hangouts.
theguardian.com
‘Liquid gold’: heating oil thefts rise in Northern Ireland as Iran war sends prices soaring
Police issue alerts and security tips to households reliant on heating oil to deter a crime that can leave victims with bills of thousandsThere is no subtle way to receive heating oil deliveries in rural Northern Ireland: clearly marked tankers trundle through roads and lanes and park outside homes while they replenish storage tanks.The trucks’ comings and goings are visible to the entire community, indicating which households have stocked up on oil, and that is a problem because criminals monitor deliveries to identify targets. Continue reading...
bbc.com
US lifts sanctions on some Iranian oil as energy prices soar
The treasury secretary says the move will quickly bring about 140m barrels of oil to global markets.
theguardian.com
‘It’s stupid’: why western carmakers’ retreat from electric risks dooming them to irrelevance
Iran war should be wake-up call about costs of not going full throttle towards EVs as Chinese have done, experts sayBy the 1980s, Detroit’s once titanic carmakers were being upended by rivals from Japan. Ford, General Motors and Chrysler had grown rich selling gas guzzlers, but when oil prices rose and suddenly cheap, fuel-efficient Japanese models looked attractive, they were unprepared. The collapse in sales led to hundreds of thousands of job losses in the automotive heartland of the US.Now western car manufacturers are making what one former boss calls a similar “profound strategic mistake” as they pull back from electric vehicles (EVs) and refocus on the combustion engine just as oil prices are soaring once again. Experts say the industry’s future – and that of tens of millions of jobs – could be on the line. This time, however, the threat is from China. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘It’s come at the wrong time’: how Iran war has floored the Gulf as a sports hub
Conflict has not only hit sporting calendar but laid bare weakness in plans for diversifying economies through sportMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe sight of Nasser al-Khelaifi grounded in Doha when Paris Saint Germain hosted Chelsea in the last-16 of the Champions League last week provided a symbolic illustration of the fragility of the Gulf’s sports project amid the conflict in the Middle East.Al-Khelaifi is the president of PSG, the chair of Qatar Sports Investments and, most crucially, the European Football Clubs, a lobby group that, along with Uefa, runs the Champions League. He is seen as the second-most powerful individual in world football, after the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino. Yet, with Qatari airspace closed, the 52-year-old was forced to miss his first PSG match for years. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Home working, long leases and rise of parking apps - what went wrong for NCP
How could a company that charged as much as £65 for a day's parking fail to turn a profit?
bbc.com
Hargreaves Lansdown resolves IT issues affecting thousands
The finance firm has apologised for the disruption to its website and app, which has angered many customers.
theguardian.com
Fuel rations and cash handouts: Iran war energy shock hits Asia | The Latest
Across south-east Asia, governments are scrambling to find ways to conserve energy and shield the public from soaring costs, as war in the Middle East causes huge disruption in the global oil market. In Thailand, news anchors are ditching their jackets after orders to reduce air conditioning use, while government workers in the Philippines are operating on a four-day week. Asia relies heavily on imported energy, much of which passes through the strait of Hormuz, and officials have warned further measures could be considered if the energy crisis worsens. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s south-east Asia correspondent, Rebecca Ratcliffe. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Trump-backed television merger moves forward
Critics fear the consolidation will add to strains facing local news and degrade coverage.
bbc.com
Work from home and drive more slowly to save energy, global body urges
People should change how they travel, work and cook to tackle the energy price crisis, the International Energy Agency says.
bbc.com
UK borrowing costs hit highest since 2008 financial crisis
The interest rate on government debt is climbing over fears about inflation, interest rates, and public spending, experts have said.
theguardian.com
Will the Iran war trigger another recession we have to have? – Back to Back Barries podcast
Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry examine the fuel crisis and whether the Australian public will blame the Albanese government for the growing economic fallout from Trump’s war on Iran.They also discuss Liberal MP Andrew Hastie’s criticism of the US president, the RBA’s raising of the cash rate and why the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is ‘opening the door’ for a recession Continue reading...
bbc.com
Energy bills forecast to rise by £332 a year in July
Cornwall Insight says the recent surge in energy prices due to the Iran war is set to push up household bills.
bbc.com
Did you know you could transfer your ISA?
Martin Lewis explains how you can make the most of your ISA.
bbc.com
How the Iran war may affect your money and bills
The conflict in the Middle East has increased pressure on the cost of petrol, household energy bills and even food.
bbc.com
Why are gas prices soaring and how could it affect you?
Analysts fear the disruption to supply could continue for longer than initially thought.
cnbc.com
Nvidia's Huang pitches AI tokens on top of salary as agents reshape how humans work
Most enterprise AI projects have failed since 2018, a sobering track record for an industry awash in enthusiasm.
cnbc.com
The Iran war is sending shockwaves through the world's busiest IPO market
Market volatility and geopolitical tensions have choked liquidity in India’s IPO market, forcing high‑profile companies to hit pause.
bbc.com
Trio charged over alleged plot to smuggle Nvidia chips from US to China
They allegedly used fake papers and dummy gear as part of a plan to sell billions in tech to China.
bbc.com
Colombia's budding tech scene needs a cash boost
Colombia has become a tech hub for Latin America, but attracting investors is a challenge.
bbc.com
Russia, China and the US – the global winners and losers of the Iran war
As the conflict triggers economic disruption some risk being hit hard, while others stand to benefit.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
bbc.com
Stock markets rattled and energy prices soar after strikes on Qatar gas hub
Oil and gas prices have risen again after fresh strikes hit key infrastructure in the Middle East.
bbc.com
Faisal Islam: Iran war is having a dramatic effect on the UK economy
The knock-on effects of the war in the Gulf go beyond a hold on interest rates and are set to reverberate for months.
bbc.com
Bank ready to raise interest rates if Iran war price 'shock' persists
Policymakers vote unanimously to hold rates at 3.75% after the Iran war prompts a reversal in the debate over borrowing costs.
bbc.com
Why the average age of a first-time buyer has risen
The average age of a first-time buyer in England has risen from 29 to 34.
bbc.com
Nearly 400 firms fined over failure to pay minimum wage
The official minimum rates of pay will rise for 2.7 million workers in April 2026.
bbc.com
How Finnish supermarkets are central to the country's defence
The chains all have detailed plans to follow in the event of the nation going to war.
bbc.com
Is it possible to build a plastic-free home?
Using plastic in construction is cheap and easy, but some are trying to radically cut back its use.
bbc.co.uk
Selling Sheffield Wednesday
BBC Sport looks at one of England’s most famous football clubs’ fight for survival.
bbc.co.uk
Witness History
On 2 March 2006, India and the United States finalised a controversial nuclear deal
bbc.com
Ukraine's urgent fight on the financial frontline
The war-torn country is battling to secure crucial funding from the IMF and EU, as well as putting up taxes.
bbc.com
Why has Trump eased sanctions on Russian oil - and will it help Putin?
The US said easing sanctions on Russian oil would provide only a limited financial boost to Putin.
bbc.com
Dharshini David: Economy on shaky ground even before Iran war
The government's hopes that 2026 would be the year when growth picks up are at risk of being scuppered.
bbc.com
Can Ukraine's war-torn wheatfields be cleansed?
Researchers take 8,000 soil samples from battlefields to see if it is safe to grow crops.
bbc.com
Can plastic-eating fungi help clean up nappy waste?
Cost and convenience have made disposable nappies dominant - can start-ups compete?
bbc.com
A small US grocer is calling out the lower prices at big chains
It is 'impossible for us to compete', says the boss of a New York grocery store.
bbc.com
The Aldi-style disruptors who could be about to shake up the vets market
As pet owners complain of rising prices, independent practices want to take on the big chains.
bbc.com
GPS jamming: The invisible battle in the Middle East
GPS jamming has made navigation hazardous in the Gulf, spurring efforts to develop alternatives.
bbc.com
Spain's migrants welcome amnesty: 'It will help us in every way'
Madrid cites humanitarian and economic reasons to give undocumented workers legal status.
bbc.com
Can snacks help you sleep?
Chocolates, bars, gummies and drinks promise to help you sleep, but is the science behind them sound?
bbc.com
We have more privacy controls yet less privacy than ever
Has online privacy become "a luxury not a right" for us all in 2026?
cnbc.com
Register now: Applications open for the World's Top Fintech Companies 2026
CNBC and Statista chart the top fintech players from around the world, ranging from startups to Big Tech names.
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
bbc.com
Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?
bbc.com
Budget 2025: What's the best and worst that could happen for Labour?
Three days in, after a tax U-turn and partial climbdown on workers' rights, Laura Kuenssberg looks at what impact Budget week might have.
bbc.com
Has Britain's budget watchdog become too all-powerful?
Ahead of this week's Budget, some have accused the Office for Budget Responsibility of being a "straitjacket on growth"
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